(from [and in response to] https://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/arguments-banning-guns/#.YooZ5y-B3T8)
". . . 1. GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE…It’s a cliché, but it’s true: Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. [Guns do kill people. Baseball bats hit home runs. Automobiles cause deaths and injuries. Tractors plow fields. Try accomplishing the latter without the former in each instance.] Getting rid of a particular tool will not stop people committing acts of violence. [Correct. But the number of these acts can be greatly reduced. We do not live in a perfect world and absolutes are few (if any).] Instead, we need to address the root causes that drive people to perpetrate violence, including looking seriously at whether the mental health system is performing as it should. [Not 'instead' but 'in addition to' smart gun laws.]
2. GUNS = PROTECTION. . .Guns are a necessary tool in a violent world. They provide protection from muggings, home invasions, terrorist incidents, and mass shootings. [In some rare cases. In most, they increase the violence. Remember the 'wild west'?] Furthermore, an armed citizenry is (as a last resort) a guarantee against tyranny. Should it ever come to insurrection, then the people would have the means to rise in armed revolt against the authorities and overthrow them. [The danger of this logic is clearly illustrated by the events of January 6, 2021**] Even if it never comes to that, the threat of armed rebellion will help preserve government from tyranny. [The government has built-in items to prevent tyranny. We need to put legislators into the government who know what those are, respect them and promote them.]
3. BANNING GUNS WON’T PREVENT VIOLENCE. . .We do not ban tools just because they are dangerous. Tens of thousands of Europeans die in car accidents ever year, yet we don’t ban cars. Terrorists have used cars and trucks to commit atrocities, yet (again) we don’t ban cars and trucks. Indeed, terrorists in Europe have resorted to using knives and cars precisely because guns are so well-regulated across the European Union. So, banning guns does not stop violence. . . " [We must weigh danger versus usefulness with any tool. Shooting anything can objectively be called unnecessary since other means of sport, hunting etc. are available. Further, (again, there are no absolutes) we cannot PREVENT violence. We can greatly reduce it, but only if we choose. Saving the life of ONE child alone would make it worthwhile.]
**(from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_United_States_Capitol_attack) On January 6, 2021, a mob of 2,000–2,500 supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump attacked the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.[a][28][29] They sought to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election[30] by disrupting the joint session of Congress assembled to count electoral votes that would formalize President-elect Joe Biden's victory.[3][31] The Capitol Complex was locked down and lawmakers and staff were evacuated as rioters assaulted law enforcement officers, vandalized property, and occupied the building for several hours.[32] Five people died either shortly before, during, or following the event: one was shot by Capitol Police, another died of a drug overdose, and three died of natural causes.[19][33] Many people were injured, including 138 police officers. Four officers who responded to the attack died by suicide within seven months.[34]
It Better End Soon
- Chicago
